Commercial Photography: Lighting a Reflective Object

If you’ve ever shot commercial photography, you understand the challenge of trying to light a reflective object – and still capture a great image. In this class, Cris Duncan shows you how to easily and effectively master this task.

You’ll learn the time and preparation needed – how to set up your lighting, proper metering, what type of light source to use and how to work with different backgrounds and lighting options. Discuss how to capture the shape of the object, illuminate a product label so it’s easy to read, shoot the interior of a product and basically showcase what your client wants to see.

Next, get familiar with the tools at your fingertips! Do you know when to use a polarizer? How can a gel or black plexi glass enhance your photo? What’s the best lens to use? Cris walks you through each option and shows you, one by one, what happens when you eliminate a lighting source from the set up.

Cris not only teaches you how to master the lighting, he gives you a better perspective on what your client wants to see – how important the products and the shoot are to them, and how you not only capture the images they want but help convey their message through your work.

A devoted husband, loving father and professional photographer, Cris J. Duncan, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, feels blessed to share a little about himself with you. Cris and his wife, Deanna, operate a studio in Lubbock, Texas, offering high-end commercial, portrait and wedding photography. It may sound cliché, but they truly love what they do…and he is quick to credit that to their success. He knows that this wonderful profession of photography will take anything you are willing to give and give you whatever you are willing to go after.

Cris is a Certified Professional Photographer and holds the Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees. Since turning pro in 2002, he has photographed Presidents, Vice Presidents, dignitaries and countless others. He has worked for such companies as Frito-Lay and Bayer CropScience and has been honored to photograph numerous weddings, portraits and commercial assignments for great people all over this land. Cris and Deanna were also selected by the design team of Extreme Makeover:Home Edition to provide portraits of one of their deserving families. Cris was a PPA Photographer of the Year and is also the recipient of several awards and honors. For example, his acclaimed work, “The Carpenter’s Masterpiece,” was awarded a perfect 100 as well as Album of the Year, two Judges Choice awards, a distinguished ribbon and acceptance in the exclusive PPA Loan Collection.

Today, Cris is a highly sought-after photographer and educator. He is the founder of “Find your Focus” photographic education experiences.

You May Also Be Interested In:

The Portrait Photographer's Guide to Commercial Photography- Webinar: Commercial photography comes with its own set of rules, idiosyncrasies and techniques. Many times, these are not the same as they are in portrait and wedding photography. This webinar will take you through some of the "rules," techniques and pricing procedures of commercial photography.

Commercial Photography: Concept to Creation- Video: Portrait photography is about real people, real emotions and real drama. Commercial photography is more about capturing products and breathing life into them to convey the desired message. In this class, Cris discusses how to start with an object and develop an entire creative concept around it. Learn how to create mood and drama and how all of this goes into the end result or image.

Lighting an Executive Portrait- Video: Cris Duncan teaches you how to light the perfect executive portrait, from connecting with the client and utilizing correct lighting techniques to creating test images and learning the best software to use for instant client viewing.